Friday, July 18, 2025
BELOIT – Theresa Marie Baxa passed away on June 7, 2025, at the Mitchell County Hospital Resident Care Center in Beloit, KS. Her seven surviving children were all able to be at her side with their love and support.
Theresa was born on October 23, 1929, to Joseph G.and Catherine (L'ECuyer) Kieffer in Clifton, KS. She was one of 11 children. At age 5, the family moved from the Clifton/Clyde area to Belleville, KS where Theresa attended school from grades 1 - 12. She had some vivid memories of the “dirty thirties” and the hard times of that era. In her high school years, she worked at her papa’s store, “Sunflower Grocery.” She learned the business, and she learned the art of working with the public.
After high school, Theresa married Alfonso J. Baxa on March 30, 1948. Al and Theresa made their home on the Baxa family farm near Wayne, KS. While living on the farm, they were blessed with 8 children. Theresa never had an idle moment as she worked raising the children, gardening, canning, raising chickens and doing the many chores associated with being a farmer’s wife.
In 1962, “the year of the mud”, Al and Theresa sold out the farm and moved to Randall, KS, where they purchased the grocery store from her papa, Joe Kieffer. This was not a new business for Theresa, and together with Al and all of their 8 children, they ran and operated Baxa Grocery until 1979. Theresa loved working with the people in the Randall community, and whether working alongside her at the grocery store or doing chores at home, she taught her children the joy and value of hard work - making it fun and quick with her light heartedness, laughter and love of singing. Her favorite bit of wisdom: “Many hands make light work.”
Being active in the community of Randall was very important to Theresa. In the 1960’s, she organized the Randall Boys Pee Wee baseball team. All of the boys of the area played, and all of the parents supported them. Everyone leaped for joy when they won State. She also helped plan and implement many community events such as the Bicentennial celebration and fundraisers for the tennis/ basketball court in the Randall park. She was a past member of the Randall City Council. For many years she was an active member of the Randall Progressive Study Club.
In 1980, Theresa was proud to become a Certified Dietary Manager and ran the kitchen and dining services at Hilltop Lodge nursing home in Beloit, KS. She loved the employees she worked with, but most of all she loved the residents who were living their last days there. She was always bright and cheerful, smiling and talking to them each by name. “Work is love made visible.” (Khalil Gibran)
Theresa moved from the family home in Randall to Beloit in 2002. Her volunteer work continued in the Beloit community where she helped at the Economy Shop, the Senior Center and the Mitchell County Historical Society. In 2008, Theresa was selected as the Mitchell County Lady of the Senior Fair.
Throughout her life, Theresa’s love of God and His church were always top priority. She began singing and being part of CYO at St. Edwards in Belleville at a very young age. At St. Mary’s in Jamestown she shared her faith again through Altar Society, singing and teaching CCD. She was a parishioner of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church of Beloit and loved being able to walk across the street for daily mass and serving as a sacristan until she was no longer able. She led her family with her faith in God and proudly shared it with anyone she met.
Theresa is survived by her children: Annette (Butch) Burks, Jewell; Kathleen Jones, Randall; Jerry (Dotty), Salina; A.J. (Karlene), Beloit; Mark (Tami), Salina; Nicolas (Heike), Beloit; and Rebecca (Alan) Burcher, Kinsley; 23 grandchildren; 58 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings: Marge Walker, Belleville; Dave (Tuni) Kieffer, Hartford,Indiana; and Marilyn Wilson, Wichita.
Theresa was preceded in death by her husband, Alfonso J Baxa, Sr.; her son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Virginia Baxa; son-in-law, Jan Jones; and great grand-daughter Ashley Burks. Her siblings Fr. Bud, John, Mary, Anne, Tom, Judy and Jim also preceded her.
Funeral services will be at 10 AM Friday, June 13 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Beloit. Burial services will take place at St. Isadore’s Cemetery in Cuba, KS at 2:30. A rosary service will be at 7 PM on Thursday, June 12 at the Roberts Family Funeral Home in Beloit. Visitation will also be on Thursday, June 12 from 1 PM until the rosary begins, with the family being present starting at 5 PM. Memorials may be given to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church of Beloit in care of Roberts Family Funeral Home.
Roberts Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be left at www.robertsfamilyfs.com
